China revitalises rural rail transport
China Railway Shanghai recently completed its first container train journey in the Yangtze River Delta region, delivering grain cargo from Anhui to a warehouse in Yibin, Sichuan.
With the maiden train, China has launched a fast rail channel for grain transports. The aim is to augment capacities and improve the quality of service in order to promote the shift of cargo from road to rail and from bulk to container. The first container train running in the framework of the “rural revitalisation programme” transported 70 teu of grain, totalling 2,240 t.
China also plans to increase rail shipments for other rural specialty products such as Chinese medicinal herbs, tea, and electric tricycles by a direct and nationwide “point-to-point” cargo handling system. (ben)